Lateral thrust control unit for watercrafts

ABSTRACT

A lateral thrust control unit for watercrafts having at least one tunnel which is directed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the ship. The tunnel extends from one side of the ship to the oppositely positioned side of the ship and contains at least one drivable propeller therein. At least one channel near the tunnel is provided which leads also from one side of the ship to the oppositely positioned side thereof.

United States Patent [1 1 Brix [ 51 Sept. 9, 1975 LATERAL THRUST CONTROL UNIT FOR WATERCRAFTS [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Schottel-Werft, Josef Becker KG,

Oberspay (Rhine Germany [22] Filed: July 19, 1973 [2l] Appl. No.2 380,667

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. l57.l94 June 28.

1971. abandonedv Jochim E. Brix, Hamburg. Germany [30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 2. 1970 Germany 2032716 [52] US. Cl. 114/151 [51] Int. Cl. B63H 25/46 [58] Field of Search ll4/l44 R, 148, 150, 151; ll5/ll. l2 R, 35 R. 50, 67 R, 67 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l,l63,352 l2/19l5 Linscott ll4/l48 3/[966 ll/l968 Winter ll4/l5l Pehrsson ll4/148 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS l ()94 l4l l2/l96t) Germany ll5/35 Primary Erumim'rTrygve M. Blix Assistant E.\'umincrlesus D. Sotelo .4II()III Agent. m- Firm-Woodhams, Blanchard & Flynn 57 1 ABSTRACT A lateral thrust control unit for watercrafts having at least one tunnel which is directed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the ship. The tunnel extends from one side of the ship to the oppositely positioned side of the ship and contains at least one drivable propeller therein. At least one channel near the tunnel is provided which leads also from one side of the ship to the oppositely positioned side thereof.

11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEP 91975 7 I 3.903.829

'snmlufz I MZM@% LATERAL THRUST CONTROL UNIT FOR WATERCRAFTS This application is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 157 194, filed June 28, 1971, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a lateral thrust control unit for watercrafts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Lateral thrust control units are known and are installed, to assist in maneuvering, in the stem and/r stern of boats, special vehicles and floating apparatus and deliver, upon operation of same, a tranverse thrust which is required for supporting the control action of the common rudder arrangements, particularly during maneuvering in narrow waters, moving into ferry racks and for maintaining position.

The effectiveness of lateral thrust control units becomes greatly reduced with an increasing forward and backward speed of the watercraft. This happens already at low service speeds.

The purpose of the invention is to reduce the influence, dueto a forward or rearward movement, of the effectiveness of lateral thrust control units in order to be able to use this control unit also at low speeds where the control action -of the main rudder unit is insufficient.

It is a further purpose of this invention to connect at least one of the overpressure and underpressure fields to a pressure field of opposite or lower potential.

This purpose is attained according to the invention by providing at least one tunnel which is directed transversely of the longitudinal axis of the ship, which leads from one side of the ship to the oppositely positioned side of the ship and contains at least one drivable propeller therein, and at least one channel near the tunnel which leads also from one side of the ship to the oppositely positioned side of the ship.

The lateral force reduction which, as has been stated, occurs already at low service speeds is caused by the disadvantageous pressure forces which act onto the ship side behind the lateral thrust stream, which is deflected during travel.

For this reason the invention can be further developed in such a manner that the channel or the channels in relationship to the moving direction of the watercraft is or are arranged behind the tunnel.

In order to effect a pressure compensation for both forward and backward travel, the invention is further developed in such a manner that at least one channel is provided in front and also behind the tunnel. The control effect is increased by making the channels closeable. Thus, when the lateral thrust control unit is operated, the channel which is positioned behind the tunnel relative to the travelling direction is opened and therewith supplies the effective pressure compensation for the disadvantageous pressure forces.

In order to reduce the resistance to forward or rearward movement, the invention can be further developed in such a manner that both the tunnel and also the channel or the channels are closeable.

It is advantageous to provide the closing mechanism for the tunnel or the channel or the channels with a remote control device.

It is possible with the invention to substantially reduce the travelling effect of the effectiveness of a lateral thrust control unit by compensating for local pressure and disadvantageous pressure fields by means of arranging pressure compensating channels. Through this thecontrol action of a lateral thrust control unit is also availablefor maneuvers which must be made during travel of the boat, special vehicle or floating apparatus, particularly during slow travel when the effect of the main rudder unit is insufficient. Through the invention, an improved lateral thrust control unit is available during movement into narrow waters, under the influence of outside forces and during travel in fog, so that the safety of watercrafts equipped with lateral thrust control units in combination with pressure compensating channels is increased.

Further advantages and characteristics of the invention can be taken from the following description of the exemplary embodiments.

The invention is described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 4 which illustrate exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view along the line I-I of FIG. 2 of the bow of a watercraft with a lateral thrust control unit according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the bow with the lateral thrust control unit according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a further development of the invention (cut along the line llllll of FIG. 4).

FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment according to FIG. 3. 1

FIGS. I and 2 illustrate as exemplary embodiments of the invention a portion of the bow or stem of a watercraft in which a tunnel l is provided. A propeller 2 is supported in the tunnel I and is driven by a motor arranged in the watercraft or in the central part or hub of the propeller. The tunnel 1 extends transversely to the axis of the ship, particularly transversely of the direction of travel from one side 3 to the oppositely positioned side 4 of the ship. Near the tunnel on the bow or stern there is arranged a connecting channel 5 which also extends from one side 3 to the oppositely positioned side 4 of the ship. In relation to the direction of travel of the ship, that is, behind'the tunnel of the lateral thrust control unit on the water intake side, there is formed an excessively high or overpressure pressure field and on the water outlet side and a strong low or underpressure pressure field both of which act against the pressure distribution useful for the transverse thrust. The places or zones of these pressure fields depend on the shape of the bow or stem of the watercraft. By arranging one or several compensating channels which connect the zones of underpressure and overpressure to a pressure field of opposite potential, such as by connecting the zones of maximum pressure difference, the pressure differences which act against the transverse thrust provided by'the driven propeller during travel are, for the most part, eliminated.

Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. A tunnel 6 is provided which contains a drivable propeller 14. A pair of connecting channels 7 and 8 each are provided, one channel 7 in front and one channel 8 behind the tunnel 6. The channels can be closed by means of lids 9, 10 or valves which can for example also be positioned in the center of the channel. A remote control device can be provided therefor.

OPERATION The operation of the device embodying the invention will be described in detail hereinbelow for a better understanding of the invention.

The operationo f the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is the same as for FIGS. 1 and 2 except for the number of connecting channels. Accordingly, only the embodiment in FIGS. 3 and 4 will be discussed in detail.

The direction of travel of the watercraft is indicated by an arrow 11. The propeller l4 conveys the water in direction of the arrow 12 so that a transverse thrust acts onto the craft in direction of the arrow 13. With these movement relationships, an overpressure field (identified by a positive sign) develops behind the tunnel on the side to which the transverse movement 13 is directed and a suction force due to the underpressure field (identified by a negative sign) is developed on the oppositely positioned side of the watercraft. These two fields act against the thrust provided by the propeller 14. According to the invention, the connecting channel, which is in relation to the direction of travel, behind the tunnel 6 is opened so that the detrimental pressure is eliminated.

When a movement of the watercraft occurs in a direction opposite the arrow 11, the connecting channel 7 would be opened and the connecting channel 8 would be closed.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed above for illustrative purposes, it will be understood that variations or modifications thereof which lie within the scope of the appended claims are fully contemplated.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privelege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A lateral thrust control unit for watercraft, comprising:

at least one tunnel which is directed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said watercraft and extends from one side of said watercraft to the opposite side thereof and has propulsion means therein, said propulsion means including propeller means having anaxis of rotation transverse of said longitudinal axis of said watercraft and coincident with the longitudinal axis of said tunnel means; and

means defining at least one channel adjacent to and separate from said tunnel means and extending from one side of said watercraft to the opposite side thereof, said channel means opening outwardly of the sides of said watercraft at zones of underpressure and overpressure created on the sides of said watercraft during a longitudinal and lateral movement of said watercraft to resist the lateral movement of said watercraft, said channel means providing fluid communication between said zones of underpressure and overpressure to equalize the pressure differential therebetween and to reduce theresistance to said lateral movement, said channel means being free of propulsion means therein and positioned longitudinally behind said tunnel means relative to the direction of travel of said watercraft. 2. Alateral thrust control unit according to claim 1, wherein the axis of said tunnel is substantially horizon tally aligned; and

wherein said horizontal axis of said channel means is substantially horizontally aligned with said axis of said tunnel.

3. Lateral thrust control unit according to claim 1, wherein two of said channel means are provided, one in front, the other behind said tunnel.

4. Lateral thrust control unit according to claim 1, including means defining a cover for closing both ends of said channel means.

5. Lateral thrust control unit according to claim 4, wherein said cover means includes a remote-control drive for controlling the opening and closing of said cover.

6. Lateral thrust control unit according to claim 1, wherein said propulsion means comprises at least one drivable propeller.

7. A lateral thrust control unit for the hull of a watercraft, comprising:

means defining at least one tunnel integral with said hull and which is directed transversely to the longi-- tudinal axis of said watercraft, extends generally between the sidewalls of said watercraft and has propulsion means therein, said propulsion means including propeller means having an axis of rotation transverse of said longitudinal axis of said watercraft and coincident with the longitudinal axis of said tunnel means, said tunnel means having an inlet and an outlet integral with said hull and opening outwardly at the sidewalls thereof; 7 means defining zones of underpressure and overpressure created on the sidewalls of said hull of said watercraft during a longitudinal and simultaneous lateral movement of said watercraft to resist the lateral movement of said watercraft, said zones being positioned longitudinally along said sidewalls of said hull from said tunnel means; and

means defining at least one channel positioned adjacent said tunnel and spaced longitudinally along said hull of said watercraft from said tunnel means and adjacent to and separate from said tunnel means and extending between said sidewalls of said watercraft, said channel means having an inlet and an outlet integral with and opening outwardly of the sidewalls of said hull at said zones of underpressure and overpressure created on said sidewalls of said watercraft during said longitudinal and simultaneous lateral movement of said watercraft and providing fluid communication between said zone of underpressure and overpressure to equalize the pressure differential therebetween and to reduce the resistance of said lateral movement, said channel means being free of propulsion means therein.

8. A lateral thrust control unit for the hull of a water craft comprising:

means defining at least one tunnel integral with and extending through said hull of said watercraft, the axis of said tunnel means being directed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said watercraft, said tunnel means extending from one side of said watercraft to the opposite side thereof and has propulsion means therein, said tunnel means having an inlet and an outlet integral with said hull and opening outwardly at the sidewalls thereof;

means defining zones of underpressure and overpressure created on the sidewalls of said hull of said watercraft during a longitudinal and simultaneous lateral movement of said watercraft to resist the lateral movement of said watercraft. said zones being positioned longitudinally along said sidewalls of said hull from said tunnel means; and

means defining at least one channel adjacent to and separate at all times from fluid communication with said tunnel means and extending continuously and without interruption from one side of said watercraft to the opposite side thereof, said channel means having an inlet and an outlet integral with and opening outwardly of the sides of said hull of said watercraft at said zones of underpressure and overpressure created on said sidewalls of said hull of said watercraft during a longitudinal and simultaneous lateral movement of said watercraft and providing an uninterrupted fluid communication between said zone of underpressure and overpressure to equalize the pressure differential therebetween and to reduce the resistance to said lateral movement, said channel means being free at all times of propulsion means therein.

9. A lateral thrust control unit for the hull structure of a watercraft, comprising:

means defining at least one tunnel in at least one of the bow and stern of said hull structure and which is directed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said watercraft, extends generally between the sidewalls of said watercraft and has propulsion means therein, said propulsion means including propeller means having an axis of rotation transverse of said longitudinal axis of said watercraft and coincident with the longitudinal axis of said tunnel means, said tunnel means having an inlet and an outlet integral with said hull and opening outwardly at the sidewalls thereof;

means defining zones of underpressure and overpressure created on the sidewalls of said one of said bow and stern of said hull of said watercraft during a longitudinal and simultaneous lateral movement of said watercraft to resist the lateral movement of said watercraft, said zones being positioned longitudinally along said sidewalls of said one of said bow and stern of said hull structure from said tunnel means; and

means defining at least one channel means positioned adjacent said tunnel and spaced longitudinally along said one of said bow and stern of said hull structure of said watercraft from said tunnel means, said channel means having an inlet and an outlet integral with and opening outwardly of the sidewalls of said hull at said zones of underpressure and overpressure created on said sidewalls of said watercraft during said longitudinal and simultaneous lateral movement of said watercraft and pro viding fluid communication between said zone of underpressure and overpressure to equalize the pressure differential therebetween and to reduce the resistance to said lateral movement, said channel means being free of propulsion means therein. 10. A lateral thrust control unit for the hull of a watercraft, comprising:

means defining at least one tunnel integral with said hull and which is directed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said watercraft, extends generally between the sidewalls of said watercraft and has propulsion means therein, said propulsion means including propeller means having an axis of rotation transverse of said longitudinal axis of said watercraft and coincident with the longitudinal axis of said tunnel means, said tunnel means having an inlet and an outlet integral with said hull and opening outwardly at the sidewalls thereof;

means defining zones of underpressure and overpressure created on the sidewalls of said hull of said watercraft during a longitudinal and simultaneous lateral movement of said watercraft to resist the lateral movement of said watercraft, said zones being positioned longitudinally along said sidewalls of said hull from said tunnel means; and

passageway means for connecting at least one of said zones of underpressure and overpressure to a pressure field of opposite potential to equalize the pressure differential therebetween and to reduce the resistance to said lateral movement, said passageway means being free of propulsion means therein.

11. A lateral thrust control unit for the hull of a watercraft, comprising:

means defining at least one tunnel integral with said hull and which is directed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said watercraft, extends generally between the sidewalls of said watercraft and has propulsion means therein, said propulsion means including propeller means having an axis of rotation transverse of said longitudinal axis of said watercraft and coincident with the longitudinal axis of said tunnel means, said tunnel means having an inlet and an outlet integral with said hull and opening outwardly at the sidewalls thereof;

means defining zones of differing pressure fields created on the sidewalls of said hull of said watercraft during a longitudinal and simultaneous lateral movement of said watercraft to resist the lateral movement of said watercraft, said zones being positioned longitudinally along said sidewalls of said hull from said tunnel means; and

passageway means for connecting at least one of said zones of differing pressure fields to a pressure field of different potential to equalize the pressure differential therebetween and to reduce the resistance to said lateral movement, said passageway means being free of propulsion means therein. 

1. A lateral thrust control unit for watercraft, comprising: at least one tunnel which is directed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said watercraft and extends from one side of said watercraft to the opposite side thereof and has propulsion means therein, said propulsion means including propeller means having an axis of rotation transverse of said longitudinal axis of said watercraft and coincident with the longitudinal axis of said tunnel means; and means defining at least one channel adjacent to and separate from said tunnel means and extending from one side of said watercraft to the opposite side thereof, said channel means opening outwardly of the sides of said watercraft at zones of underpressure and overpressure created on the sides of said watercraft during a longitudinal and lateral movement of said watercraft to resist the lateral movement of said watercraft, said channel means providing fluid communication between said zones of underpressure and overpressure to equalize the pressure differential therebetween and to reduce the resistance to said lateral movement, said channel means being free of propulsion means therein and positioned longitudinally behind said tunnel means relative to the direction of travel of said watercraft.
 2. A lateral thrust control unit according to claim 1, wherein the axis of said tunnel is substantially horizontally aligned; and wherein said horizontal axis of said channel means is substantially horizontally aligned with said axis of said tunnel.
 3. Lateral thrust control unit according to claim 1, wherein two of said channel means are provided, one in front, the other behind said tunnel.
 4. Lateral thrust control unit according to claim 1, including means defining a cover for closing both ends of said channel means.
 5. Lateral thrust control unit according to claim 4, wherein said cover means includes a remote-control drive for controlling the opening and closing of said cover.
 6. Lateral thrust control unit according to claim 1, wherein said propulsion means comprises at least one drivable propeller.
 7. A lateral thrust control unit for the hull of a watercraft, comprising: means defining at least one tunnel integral with said hull and which is directed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said watercraft, extends generally between the sidewalls of said watercraft and has propulsion means therein, said propulsion means including propeller means having an axis of rotation transverse of said longitudinal axis of said watercraft and coincident with the longitudinal axis of said tunnel means, said tunnel means having an inlet and an outlet integral with said hull and opening outwardly at the sidewalls thereof; means defining zones of underpressure and overpressure created on the sidewalls of said hull of said watercraft during a longitudinal and simultaneous lateral movement of said watercraft to resist the lateral movement of said watercraft, said zones being positioned longitudinally along said sidewalls of said hull from said tunnel means; and means defining at least one channel positioned adjacent said tunnel and spaced longitudinally along said hull of said watercraft from said tunnel means and adjacent to and separate from said tunnel means and extending between said sidewalls of said watercraft, said channel means having an inlet and an outlet integral with and opening outwardly of the sidewalls of said hull at said zones of underpressure and overpressure created on said sidewalls of said watercraft during said longitudinal and simultaneous lateral movement of said watercraft and providing fluid communication between said zone of underpressure and overpressure to equalize the pressure differential therebetween and to reduce the resistance of said lateral movement, said channel means being free of propulsion means therein.
 8. A lateral thrust control unit for the hull of a watercraft comprising: means defining at least one tunnel integral with and extending through said hull of said watercraft, the axis of said tunnel means being directed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said watercraft, said tunnel means extending from one side of said watercraft to the opposite side thereof and has propulsion means therein, said tunnel means having an inlet and an outlet integral with said hull and opening outwardly at the sidewalls thereof; means defining zones of underpressure and overpressure created on the sidewalls of said hull of said watercraft during a longitudinal and simultaneous lateral movement of said watercraft to resist the lateral movement of said watercraft, said zones being positioned longitudinally along said sidewalls of said hull from said tunnel means; and means defining at least one channel adjacent to and separate at all times from fluid communication with said tunnel means and extending continuously and without interruption from one side of said watercraft to the opposite side thereof, said channel means having an inlet and an outlet integral with and opening outwardly of the sides of said hull of said watercraft at said zones of underpressure and overpressure created on said sidewalls of said hull of said watercraft during a longitudinal and simultaneous lateral movement of said watercraft and providing an uninterrupted fluid communication between said zone of underpressure and overpressure to equalize the pressure differential therebetween and to reduce the resistance to said lateral movement, said channel means being free at all times of propulsion means therein.
 9. A lateral thrust control unit for the hull structure of a watercraft, comprising: means defining at least one tunnel in at least one of the bow and stern of said hull structure and which is directed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said watercraft, extends generally between the sidewalls of said watercraft and has propulsion means therein, said propulsion means including propeller means having an axis of rotation transverse of said longitudinal axis of said watercraft and coincident with the longitudinal axis of said tunnel means, said tunnel means having an inlet and an outlet integral with said hull and opening outwardly at the sidewalls thereof; means defining zones of underpressure and overpressure created on the sidewalls of said one of said bow and stern of said hull of said watercraft during a longitudinal and simultaneous lateral movement of said watercraft to resist the lateral movement of said watercraft, said zones being positioned longitudinally along said sidewalls of said one of said bow and stern of said hull structure from said tunnel means; and means defining at least one channel means positioned adjacent said tunnel and spaced longitudinally along said one of said bow and stern of said hull strUcture of said watercraft from said tunnel means, said channel means having an inlet and an outlet integral with and opening outwardly of the sidewalls of said hull at said zones of underpressure and overpressure created on said sidewalls of said watercraft during said longitudinal and simultaneous lateral movement of said watercraft and providing fluid communication between said zone of underpressure and overpressure to equalize the pressure differential therebetween and to reduce the resistance to said lateral movement, said channel means being free of propulsion means therein.
 10. A lateral thrust control unit for the hull of a watercraft, comprising: means defining at least one tunnel integral with said hull and which is directed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said watercraft, extends generally between the sidewalls of said watercraft and has propulsion means therein, said propulsion means including propeller means having an axis of rotation transverse of said longitudinal axis of said watercraft and coincident with the longitudinal axis of said tunnel means, said tunnel means having an inlet and an outlet integral with said hull and opening outwardly at the sidewalls thereof; means defining zones of underpressure and overpressure created on the sidewalls of said hull of said watercraft during a longitudinal and simultaneous lateral movement of said watercraft to resist the lateral movement of said watercraft, said zones being positioned longitudinally along said sidewalls of said hull from said tunnel means; and passageway means for connecting at least one of said zones of underpressure and overpressure to a pressure field of opposite potential to equalize the pressure differential therebetween and to reduce the resistance to said lateral movement, said passageway means being free of propulsion means therein.
 11. A lateral thrust control unit for the hull of a watercraft, comprising: means defining at least one tunnel integral with said hull and which is directed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said watercraft, extends generally between the sidewalls of said watercraft and has propulsion means therein, said propulsion means including propeller means having an axis of rotation transverse of said longitudinal axis of said watercraft and coincident with the longitudinal axis of said tunnel means, said tunnel means having an inlet and an outlet integral with said hull and opening outwardly at the sidewalls thereof; means defining zones of differing pressure fields created on the sidewalls of said hull of said watercraft during a longitudinal and simultaneous lateral movement of said watercraft to resist the lateral movement of said watercraft, said zones being positioned longitudinally along said sidewalls of said hull from said tunnel means; and passageway means for connecting at least one of said zones of differing pressure fields to a pressure field of different potential to equalize the pressure differential therebetween and to reduce the resistance to said lateral movement, said passageway means being free of propulsion means therein. 